In its most significant Windows 8 era change, Microsoft is
releasing Windows 8.1 (codename build 9369).
The biggest change in this build is the return of the start
button. Yep, Microsoft has listened to consumer feedback and brought back the
sidelined, yet infamous feature of Windows. However, this button will still feed into the Windows 8 ‘Metro’ start screen as Microsoft is resisting the temptation to bring back the, also infamous, Start menu. For me, this won’t make much of a difference. I’m finding myself without the need to use the Start menu as all the apps/programs I use on a daily basis are conveniently pinned to the taskbar. Still, as a bit of a nostalgic, I look forward to the return of the Start button.
(Reported look for the new Start button)
Another introduction in 8.1 is the expected step to a ‘Metro’ Windows explorer to manage your files. This is certainly not a mind-blowing alteration but it is necessary to encourage users to embrace the Metro layout. It fits with the clean, uncluttered look of Windows 8 and is a step towards the days without a desktop (not coming in the near future – don’t worry).
Some of you will be reading and thinking; “So what? These
are not groundbreaking changes” and you would be right. But the actual changes
are just a part of the significance of the 8.1 update. Microsoft are aware of the
brutality of their change with the Windows 8 OS, and are listening to feedback
to make this transition better for the user. The nature of Windows 8 – being
extremely experimental for the most established computing OS layout – is that
of trial and error. Microsoft has introduced a huge array of new interactions
and alterations in the Windows 8 and there will always be teething problems
when the public get their hands on it. This has certainly been true of Windows
8 but it is good to see Microsoft taking on board feedback – and reacting to
it.
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